to anyone that still reads this blog

For anyone that still logs on and reads this blog you should know:

1. the status of the derailleurs is, at this moment in time, undetermined. There was a small group of us that were going on Sunday rides. The turn out was low so we weren't meeting anymore. Anyone else interested in reviving this can go ahead and do that.

2. The current members don't seem interested in keeping up this blog, so unless someone would like to (email archivistscanfly@gmail.com) I can pass on the required info to do so (passwords etc).
But as it stands, this may be the last blog entry since I am no longer in Regina and therefore have no interest in keeping a blog for a cycling group in another province! :)

3. comments are welcome. But please stop commenting (weeks later I might add) about Critical Mass last month. It is over and done with - we know you are angry...

Thanks

CM & Film Night

Just a quick apology to those of you who didn't receive the message that the time for Critical Mass had been changed yesterday from 5:30 to 5pm. Because we were juggling 2 events in one evening, we had to push the time back. I unfortunately, did not cover all bases in alerting everyone to the time change and we had people who missed the ride. I take full responsibility for this and hope that you will be able to make it out to the next ride.
Again...my apologies. I hope everyone who came out to the film screening enjoyed it!

News

Hi all,
Jen here. The person who updates every so often.
I am entering my last few weeks here in fair Regina, Queen City...then I will be shipping off to cyclists heaven (Vancouver!).
I'm not sure what will become of this blog, or of the Derailleurs for that matter. But keep your eyes peeled for a spin-off group that I have heard talk of... next summer.

Just a few reminders for the last remaining events (p.s. anyone have a bike I can borrow? Mine is being shipped off very soon!):

1. August 29th is a BIG day for events - CRITICAL MASS, 5:30PM, VIC PARK AT THE CENOTAPH. Let's advocate for cyclists right to the road, celebrate cycling and do it while following the rules of the road..and have fun!
2. afterwards... grab a bite to eat (O'Hans?) then head to the BIKE-IN FILM SCREENING, Central Park, films are set to begin at 8pm. Show up with your bike at 7:30pm for a free tune-up from WESTERN CYCLE.

See you there...

p.s. We still ride on Sunday's, 3pm, Vic Park

Trek Bike Commercial

click here (you tube)

To prevent bicycle theft - tips from readers on CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourbeststuff/2008/07/your_top_5_bicycle_theft_tips.html

Here are some good tips:

Go to the police station and purchase a bike license.

"NEVER use any cable lock, especially the kind with metal segment sheathing. Never leave it outside at night, even in a backyard or on the porch. Longer U-locks can be spread with a carjack.
'Post and ring' poles(like in Toronto) can be broken with a 2x4 and a swift kick. Signposts and parking meters are generally more sturdy as the city protects its income sources."

Take the front wheel with you when you lock your bike to something solid in a visible location.

Use multiple different types of locks. I use cable and U-lock. Theives can break most locks very fast, and will probably not want to spend time breaking through differnt locks with different tools.

I always try to find a place to lock up my bike that's either on a busy street, in plain view, in front of a store and in a well lit area; even if i have to walk an extra block or two.

and the funniest tip...

the best tip I ever heard was from a guy I worked with who biked downtown every day and locked up his bike with rope.

He would wind the rope through every hole, around the pole numerous times and overlap it willy-nilly -- it took about 5 minutes to wrap up his bike and he claimed it would take a would-be thief about as long to unwrap it.

You don't have to make your bike unstealable, you have to make it unappealing to steal and the most unappealing part of theft is taking so long that you get caught. Case in point, his bike was never stolen.

the last month of the summer...

Events to look forward to!

1. Better bicycling brainstorming meeting, 14 August, 7-8:30pm, Knox-Met Church on Vic Ave.
2. Critical Mass, 29 August, 5:30pm, meet in Vic Park at the cenotaph
3. Bike-In Film Screening, 29 August, 7:30pm, Central Park

And rides every Sunday at 3pm!

CRITICAL MASS: A huge success

Critical Mass today was a success! 50+ riders came out to the event, and we given the opportunity to speak on live radio (CBC) about the event before it happened!
All the riders were able to listen, as there was someone there with a speaker and another riders with a portable radio! It was a great chance for everyone to congratulate themselves on their advocacy efforts and their contribution to a community - the cycling community!

We hope the August Critical Mass (29th, 5:30pm, same time and place) will garner such rave reviews as well.

Most riders commented the route needed to be longer, so we are taking suggestions and we will create a new route. It is easier to have a route that has more right turns, since crossing the intersection when turning left really blocks cars and there is more of a chance that they group will get split a part as well.

things are coming together for the Bike-In Film Screening!

Just a little update...from a place of excitement!

I am really looking forward to the bike-in film screening. The SaskFilm Pool Program Coordinator has been passing drafts of the posters & promo packages my way and they look awesome. We are slated to start releasing them...today!

Postering will begin the week of August 18th (or sooner, but they usually just get ripped down anyways). If you are able to help out with our postering duties, leave a message. We will probably just do some of it during a Sunday ride. The Film Pool can lend us staplers and tape. We'll be ready to go!

AND>>>> Western Cycle is going to be on hand to offer free, basic tune-ups and maintenance tips for cyclists! Be there at 7:30pm. The show starts at 8pm, Aug. 29th, in Central Park.

I think this event is going to be a smash hit and hopefully will be held every summer!


Don't forget about Critical Mass tomorrow, 5:30pm, Vic Park. First 10 people get a free "ONE LESS CAR!" sticker (you have to have a bike with you of course!)

Voice your woes...

There isn't a lot to update on.

But I have decided to submit a letter to the editor of the Leader Post, in the hope that some driver's will pay more respect to law-abiding cyclists on the roads just trying to get from point A to point B without dying in this city!
My friends and I were yelled at on the weekend, and I hate to admit to yelling back, but I did. I decided that from now on I wouldn't respond, but that in response to this incident I would write a letter instead. I have found this summer to be extremely bad for driver's yelling at cyclists, and it makes me wonder if it is because there are more on the road or if there is some other underlying reason?

Here is my letter...
I'm not even sure it will get published, since there were apparently 82 others waiting in the hopper. They did say that the short ones get published before longer ones, so that is a plus for me!


Dear drivers of Regina,

Why must responsible, law-abiding cyclists who have chosen to cycle for reasons of health, environmental responsibility or enjoyment have to contend with dangerous drivers who honk and yell at us?I cycle on a frequent basis. I signal. I follow the rules of the road and even wear a helmet. Why am I told that I should "get off the road!" when there is a city bylaw that states that we aren't allowed on the sidewalks? The anger towards cyclists seems to stem, in my opinion, from the entrenched car culture of this city. If gas prices continue to rise, soon you will joining me on the roads. Will we be comrades then?

Update of Summer Cycling (related) Events!

I really can not believe we are closing in on the end of July. There really has not been enough cycling events so far...yes, I know I am a fanatic.

But don't despair - here are some events that are coming up, and they may be more added as the weeks pass by!

1. critical mass, 25 july, 5:30pm, leaving vic

2. better bicycling brainstorming meeting, 14 august, 7:30pm, knox-met church

3. critical mass, 25 August, 5:30pm, leaving vic park (my last critical mass in regina!!!)

4. Bike-In Film Screening, 29 August, Central Park, 8pm (hosted by sask flim pool, bring a radio, bring your bike!)

bike-in film screening

Bike-In Film Screening (SaskFilm Pool in cooperation with us, The Derailleurs!):

from the facebook event created by the SaskFilm Pool:

Every year the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative presents a drive-in theatre night. Usually, we take over a downtown parking lot, to demonstrate that downtown life is not all crime.

This year, we are one-upping ourselves. In collaboration with the Deraileurs (a bicycle advocacy group) we are hosting a bike-in screening. Bring your bikes and fm radios to Central Park (23 block Hamilton) on August 29 and enjoy an evening of green film.

This year the Filmpool will be presenting Go Organic, a package of clever short films that explore contemporary farming practices. This package includes such films as "the Meatrix" and "Frankensteer."

Be sure to come and enjoy. Remember bring a bike, a blanket, and an fm radio and enjoy films under the stars...

Details are here:

Date:	Friday, August 29, 2008
Time:	8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	23 block
Street:	Hamilton

Phone:	7578818
Email:	info@filmpool.ca

a friend reminded me of this great quote:

"Everytime I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer dispair for the future of the human race"
H.G. Wells

more events...

Better Bicycling Brainstorming Meeting
14 August 2008
7-8:30pm
Know-Met Church on Victoria Ave.

Critical Mass

Critical Mass
July 25th, 5:30pm
leaving Victoria Park
All are welcome, spread the word.

cool bike racks

A big part of the discussion tonight at the meeting was about bicycle racks - design, quality, security, and their artistic value.

See below for some inspiring ideas!

PARK(ing) Day 2008 event

I forgot to post about this..sorry for the late notice. But for those of you who are cycling advocates/activists and/or artists, you may be interested in this...

in/stall update:
We are pleased to announce that Lane Level Projects has received full funding for /in/stall. This ensures that our one day event can go forward exactly as planned, including the payment of artist fees to all those selected to participate. The call for submissions has been extended to July 15th. Many thanks to those who have already submitted projects. We will respond to all proposals by the end of July.
_______________________________

/in/stall
Themes: Intervention/ Urbanism/ Public Spaces and Private Spaces/ Parking & Automobile Related Activities

Lane Level Projects is seeking artists to create installation and/or performance works for parking spaces, to be exhibited in a one day art event in Regina, SK on September 6th, 2008.

/in/stall will be a one-day exhibition and performance event in urban Regina parking spaces on one block in the city core. Visual and performance artists are invited to propose site-specific installations and/or performances in response to urban parking spaces; each work will be contained in one parking space.

Lane Level Projects is a Regina based artists' collective with a mandate to introduce the work of local contemporary installation, multimedia and performance artists into private and public venues. Following the back lane delights of the 2007 Garage Show, /in/stall is Lane Level Project's second exhibition.

Proposals / Submissions should include:

- brief bio.

- one page project description which outlines the underlying ideas, processes involved, and material result of the proposed work or action, including timeline and workplan.

- technical requirements for the successful completion of your project.

Submission Deadline: July 15th, 2008

please respond by email to:
lane.level@gmail.com


Also see: http://www.parkingday.org/

Update

The Better Biking Brainstorming Meeting had an excellent turn out tonight! There were approximately 25 enthusiastic cyclists who attended, with lots of great ideas, criticisms and spirit!

Our next meeting is slated for Thursday, August 14th, 7pm, location TBA. Check back here on the Derailleurs facebook page for more information.

I may post a synopsis of our meeting minutes on here as well, or at least an overview of the larger issues discussed at the meetings.

And because I know a few newbies to The Derailleurs are going to be looking at this blog in the coming weeks...here is some information about our cycling group.

The Derailleurs have four main goals (in no particular order):

1. To have fun! - This includes but is not limited to ringing bells, singing Muppet songs, putting hockey cards in our spokes, wearing faux biker outfits and waving at our neighbours as we pass by.

2. To stay fit - The number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. Basically, there's also no denying that our level of physical activity has greatly decreased. Stay fit and have fun with cycling friends!

3. To reclaim our streets - A recent article in the Leader-Post reports that nearly three-quarters of Regina residents are afraid to set foot in some of the city's less-fortunate neighbourhoods.
We refuse to recognize the racial and economic lines that divide our city. As a group we will ride through every part of Regina to show that we are not afraid of our neighbours.

4. To promote sustainable living - According to the CBC, G8 leaders recently pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the year 2050. Waiting 40 years to solve an immediate environmental crisis is completely illogical and betrays our government's indifference to the problem.

5. To promote safe cycling: We try our best to follow the rules of the road to promote respect between cyclists and driver's.

Join the Derailleurs:
The Derailleurs don't care how old you are, where you live or how you look. If you have a bicycle and would like to join us then you're more than welcome.

Simple rules we like to follow:
1. signaling at intersections, stop signs etc. to alert driver's where we are going.
2. stopping at intersections and stop signs
3. If there is a 2 lane road we take up 1 lane to ourselves, it is a 1 lane road we go single-file to allow vehicles to pass us by unobstructed.
4. Ring your bells!
5. Stopping for ice cream

We ride every Sunday at 3pm. Meet in Victoria Park in front of the Cenotaph. Rides usually last anywhere from 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the wishes of the members and the pace is fairly casual.

Transportation...the balance

from: http://www.number27.org/work/maps/transportation.jpg

Better Bicycling Brainstorming meeting

Thursday, July 3rd, 7pm at the Knox-Met Church on Victoria Ave.

All welcome!
Come and discuss issues, problems and areas of improvement for cycling in Regina.

Photos Update

critical mass ride today

it is short notice - but we are going to have a Critical Mass ride today at 5:30pm, meet in Vic Park (our usual stomping ground) and the route is the same as last year - from Vic Ave we go along Albert St. turn right onto Sask Dr. then right onto Broad St. then right onto College Ave. then right back onto Albert St. to the park again. Yes, a lot of right hand turns, but it just makes it easier that way.

There are some folks who want to do a Chicago hold-up (!) so it should be ... interesting! :)

More info. on CM: http://critical-mass.info/origin.html

a general update+events

The bike parade was a success! Unlike last year, we just had 2 bicycle police come along with us. This was in keeping with our theme "Welcome to the Future" and on urban transportation and the future of the automobile.
I will post photos here in the coming week.

There is another Better Bicycle Brainstorming Meeting on July 3rd at the Knox-Met Church on Victoria Ave at 7pm. All are welcome to come and discuss cycling in Regina and possibilities for change.

Upcoming Events for cycle fanatics

I received an email from J. Elliot about a meeting to discuss cycling in Regina.

Here is the email excerpt:

Dear all,
We are trying again to have a bicycle meeting on June 19th, 7:00 pm at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, Craft Room upstairs. Please pass this on to others that you might think would be interested in looking at bicycle access, systems, problems, etc.

Reminders of events this week:

Downtown Planning Forum, 6-9pm, Knox-Met Church. A big part of the discussion concerns a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly downtown.

Bike Parade, Saturday, June 21st, 2pm at Eat Healthy Foods. The Parade will be police escorted, family friendly, and will end up at the Eco-Fair and National Aboriginal Celebration behind the RSM. Decorate your bike and yourself. Join us!

Sunday ride - 3pm, Vic Park.

more from the Leader Post (a 2 page spread on cycling in Regina):

Looking good, feeling great: Bike racks and bike lanes enter the public consciousness in Regina
By Allen Warren

Two City of Regina initiatives designed to improve the mechanics of bicycle travel in the city shift into high gear this month. Earlier in June, Regina Transit finished outfitting its fleet with front-end loading bike racks to give people who want it the option to cycle, rack and ride their way to their final destination.
It was a project started in fall of last year after the city’s Transit Advisory Board and the City of Regina’s Green Ribbon Commission, a group appointed by city council to identify ways of lowering community greenhouse gas emissions in the Regina area six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012, both endorsed the idea.

All Regina Transit buses will now be equipped with bike racks, which feature a support arm to hold the bike firmly in place, big enough to accommodate two adult-sized bicycles. Sue Luchuck, Senior Transit Planner with Regina Transit expects the use of the bike racks to increase once the public starts realizing how they can be used to their advantage. "We don't provide transit service to all areas of the city at the moment, so if someone is interested in taking a greener form of transportation to work other than their car, they can ride their bike to their nearest transit stop, rack their bike on the bus and ride transit to work,” she explained. "Adding bike racks to our buses was one of the things we thought we could do to provide tangible benefit for our riders,” she said, “ and perhaps this will get people using public transit who haven't used it before.”

Bike racks have been fixtures on city buses in Canadian municipalities like Vancouver and Ottawa for years, and are now finally making their appearance here. Luchuck said that while she has handled some calls that seemed to express derision towards the new racks, feedback to date has been mostly positive. The racks were covered by a 2007 federal capital funding grant for transit.

"When we explain to them why we have done it, they seem to think it's not such a bad idea," she said, "We hope the visibility of the bike racks will at least get people thinking about alternate forms of transportation, and we hope they will be well-used.”

Racks will be removed for the winter months sometime in late fall. Information on using the bike racks is currently available on city buses, as well as on the Regina Transit web site at http://www.reginatransit.com/. Perhaps interested parties from all corners of the city will want to "rack and ride" their way to another City of Regina biking initiative at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre on June 25, as the city hosts an Open House public forum on the proposed Cathedral neighbourhood bike paths.

Bob Berry, Senior Traffic Planning Engineer with the City of Regina, said the forum is in follow-up to the questionnaires sent to Cathedral and Heritage Precinct homes earlier in the year. The questionnaires asked for residents’ preferences on where they would like to see a new dedicated bike lane established in the area. While the public expressed preference for a bike lane to stretch from Lewvan Avenue to Albert Street along Thirteenth Avenue, the “type” of bike lane remains to be chosen. “What we want to do is to go to the pubic to see what they think about the new plans we have coming out,” he explained. Berry said the Cathedral neighbourhood project is part of a five-year city plan that includes taking a look at a number of neighbourhoods where cycling can be improved for the recreational and commuter cyclist alike.

Later in the summer, Berry says the city will begin an inquiry into creating a bike lane from the south end of Wascana Parkway all the way to Fourth Avenue North along Broad Street. He said the public support for creating new bike lanes all over Regina is strong, and now is the time to act. “It’s been recognized by the city that we should be encouraging the use of bikes throughout the city, and this is one of the ways you can do that—by coming up with dedicated laneways for the bikes themselves.”

The Open House at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre will be held between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at 2900-13th Avenue. All public, especially cyclists and those interested in green forms of transport are encouraged to attend.

The Derailleurs featured in the Leader Post, Monday, June 9th, 2008

The Derailleurs: Cycling’s Voice of Reason on Regina City Streets
By Allen Warren

Sometimes cyclists can feel like a pretty lonely breed in the City of Regina. Not that companionship always matter to the cyclist when they’re whizzing carefree in the sun down the street propelled only by their own enthusiasm for two wheels, handlebars, a thin frame, one chain and maybe a derailleur.

When a cyclist is negotiating rush hour traffic as a commuter, however, they often feel like the odd vehicle out.

Despite recent city initiatives to better integrate cycling into the normal flow of motorized traffic, such as bike racks on city buses to carry cyclists in and out of downtown and plans to create more dedicated lane ways for bicycles, commuter cycling still seems to face an uphill struggle for legitimacy in Regina.

Do city motorists need an attitude adjustment when it comes to sharing the road with city cyclists, or are cyclists the ones who need to smarten up?

According to the Derailleurs cycling club, a big-hearted and “ever-expanding group of cycling enthusiasts” who advocate for safe cycling in Regina, it is, for their sake, most-immediately the latter.

By mastering the elements of cycling that they can control, such as respecting the rules of the road, cycling defensively and remaining visible to motorists while signaling their intentions at all times, the Derailleurs believe they really can influence how drivers and cyclists interact with each other on City of Regina roads.

“Sometimes I go days without seeing without seeing a cyclist following the rules,” said good-natured Derailleur Jennifer Baetz. “But it’s good for drivers to see cyclists out there who do, who care and who aren’t just out there to cause trouble, and that’s what we do.”

Originally from southern Ontario, Baetz moved to Regina two years ago from the Canadian biking capital of Vancouver, British Columbia. Besides the warmer winters, there’s something else she misses about the west coast.

“I miss seeing people biking and walking,” said Baetz, who lives and works in downtown Regina. “I just find everyone is in their cars here and it gets me down.”

To help change that, Baetz co-founded the Derailleurs and organizes weekly Sunday bike rides whose goals are many. Besides promoting fun, fitness and green transportation, the group strives to increase the visibility of bicycles in the downtown and core communities, while promoting good road etiquette among cyclists.

“That’s the point of our Sunday rides,” said Baetz, who also organized the Regina Critical Mass ride in 2007 to raise the profile of cycling in the city.“Going out as a group is for visibility, for drivers to not only see and become aware of cyclists on city roads, but for drivers to see cyclists that are following the rules so they themselves can adjust.”

Common complaints from motorists against cyclists include grievances about not properly signaling their intentions to turn, biking on the sidewalk, going the wrong way down one-way streets and just generally obstructing traffic. In a city without a lot of dedicated bike lanes, however, many cyclists do not feel safe sharing the road with motorists and often succumb to the anarchical position they find themselves in.

For instance, in its 2004 Green Ribbon Community Green House Gases Reduction Plan, the City of Regina’s Green Ribbon Committee (GRC) estimated that single passenger commuters make 181,600 vehicle trips per day into downtown Regina. That’s a lot of traffic to contend with.

To reduce emissions, the GRC advocated for a 10 per cent reduction in the number of vehicular commuter trips into Regina’s downtown, replaced by alternative forms of transportation methods, such as cycling (in the City of Regina much like in every other major municipality in Canada, cyclists enjoy the same privileges and duties as all other traffic.)

That would suit Baetz just fine, but she also has some suggestions of her own for improving cycling in the Regina downtown–reducing the posted speed limits to 40 km/h.

“Bikes can actually keep up with 30-to-40 km/h speeds,” she explained. Currently, she thinks Regina motorists drive far too quickly through the downtown area, usually for nothing. “They’re not going to get anywhere any faster,” she said. “They’re just putting people, bikers and other drivers at risk.”

The Derailleurs meet every Sunday at the Victoria Park Cenotaph at 3 p.m. Their rides usually last until 4 p.m. and normally end with ice cream. People interested in cycling can get in touch with the group through Facebook or their blog at: http://thederailleurs.blogspot.com/.

More info. on the Bike Parade

*please scroll down for information about the Bike Parade, June 21st, 2008.

*More information to follow Monday night and the coming weeks

*if anyone would like to volunteer an hour or so to helping us poster for this event, please leave a comment or email: thederailleurs@gmail.com

Photos of the bike parade '07

Bike Parade - were you there last year?

Does anyone remember the Bike Parade last year, in which participants decorated their bikes, there was face painting for children, and the ride was police-escorted? Well it is round 2 this year, as hosted by Regina Eco-Living, but the Eco-Fair will take place at Wascana Lake and is a part of the National Aboriginal Day Celebration. The parade ("festival of bikes") will leave Eat Healthy Foods and make its way to the Wascana.

Details:
June 21st, leaving Eat Healthy Foods at 2pm.
It will be an "official" parade, led by the Regina Police.
Decorate your bike and yourself! Celebrate sustainability, cycling and community.
THEME: Welcome to Our Future - Join us!
(a comment on rising gas prices, climate chaos etc.)

More details to follow...
But in the meantime, if you are up for helping out contact me (Jen) and I will certainly hook you up with some posters to distribute asap.

Thanks!

The Derailleurs collaboration with the Sask Film Pool - end of August

Hello All,

I met with Felipe from the SaskFilmPool (SFP) to discuss a collaboration between The Derailleurs and the SFP. The plan so far (with more details below!) is for the The Derailleurs to offer some support to SFP for their film screening event that will be taking place at the end of August. This event will be open to both cyclists and drivers (cyclists will be given a small radio to tune into the movie).

See below for more info. I will keep you informed as I get more info. -

1. That the Filmpool would screen "Rural Routes" as programmed by T. Martin, and that we would pay screening fees
2. That the Filmpool would provide equipment and technical staff (equipment means projector, playback, screen, scaffold, and FM Transmitter).
3. That the Filmpool would work with The Derailleurs to create and distribute advertising for this project. This includes paying for posters and cards if needed and the design thereof. The Derailleurs would access their media networks and add their name to the project. They would also provide volunteer support for the project, disseminating all materials.
4. That The Derailleurs would provide volunteer support at the event.
5. That The Derailleurs would assist in the application to SPMC and the CRTC for the parking lot and the FM transmission license.
6. That the concession stand would run by both orgs, and they would share costs and share profits.
7. That we would be happy to work in unison with each other on other projects and look forward to extending our collaboration further.

cyclists beware

A letter to the editor in the Leader Post (and from a driver at that!):

Bad drivers running amok
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
In the past three days of driving in Regina, I've been passed from the right while going through an intersection, passed from the left on a residential street and hit by someone backing out of a parking spot. I've also seen two close hits while someone has run a red light.
It is unbelievable the way people are driving.
I don't know what's worse: the gas pedal or the cellphone and there is no way of avoiding either. The lack of police to monitor traffic is no help, and is similar to the nursing problem -- not enough people to do the job. I do not feel safe driving in this city any more and I know that feeling is shared by many.


Janet Klock
Regina
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

a reminder...

We still ride every Sunday, 3pm, Vic Park in front of the cenotaph.

Join us!

Downtown Planning Symposium - final draft

For those of you that have been following the Downtown Planning Symposium, the final meetings are coming up. The plans for downtown Regina may have a direct impact on the cycling community because there are discussion regarding bike paths and getting rid of one-way streets (urban planners state that one-way streets speed up vehicular traffic and in my opinion are annoying for cycylists!).

If you are curious or want to have your final say on the issue, see below for your chance!

Forum 3: June 18 – 19, 2008
The third and final Forum will take place on June 18 and 19.
The public and stakeholders are invited to attend the Public Open House: Public Open HouseWednesday, June 18 6 – 9 p.m.
Knox-Metropolitan Church, 2340 Victoria Avenue
This will be your final opportunity to see and comment on the final draft of the Downtown Master Plan before it is presented to City Council later this summer.

There will also be a presentation to media.
Media EventThursday, June 19 1:30 p.m.Knox-Metropolitan Church, 2340 Victoria Avenue
Members of the public and stakeholder groups are welcome to attend.

More info. on the WOW Project: http://www.regina.ca/content/info_services/urban_planning/downtown.shtml

Public Forum on Bike Paths

June 25th, 4 to 8pm at the Cathedral Community Centre.
Come and voice your opinion on the proposed Cathedral Neighbourhood Bike Paths!

Commuter Challenge Week, June 1st-7th, 2008

Commuter Challenge - ditch your car, it's not that far!

From June 1-7, ride your bike, walk, roller blade, take transit...anything but your car to work. Challenge your neighbours, your friends, your family, your co-workers to do the same!

Here is a great manual to get you started: http://www.biketraffic.org/trickstips/

more FREE tutorials - Commuter Cycling

Commuter Cycling Workshops:

Learn How to Ride Your Bike to Work : safety tips, road skills, and much more.

Workshop 1 - "Bike Commuting 101"Thursday May 8 @ 5:30 pmCity Hall ForumLight Supper provided

Workshop 2 - "Cycling On" (Practical)Saturday May 10 @ 9:00 amSIAST Wascana CampusBikes and Helmets Required(Pre-requisite: Workshop 1)

To register, email greenribbon@regina.ca with "Commuter Cycling" in the subject line. Registration is free.

Free Bike Tune-up Tutorial!

-A class on how to do your own bicycle tune-up on Saturday, May 10, from 10 am until noon at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre.
No cost, please call 569-8755 to register.

Advocacy

Please post a comment if you are interested in putting a poster up - anywhere - in the city for The Derailleurs! I will send you a word doc.

One of the objectives of The Derailleurs is to promote cycling in the city, and especially safe cycling. Often people who have not experience urban cycling and some of the safety concerns associated with it, may not venture out onto our streets with a bicycle. I think that if we advocate safe cycling and cycling in a group atomosphere we'll see more people out & about on bicycles! This is great for the health of our communities, citizens and the world.

Looking ahead

I was speaking with Rick, from Eat Healthy Foods the other day, and he mentioned that there is going to be another bicycle parade before the eco-fair this summer! Stay tuned for more information. If you are interested in volunteering there will be numerous opportunities to do so. Or if you are just interested in taking in the awesome parade stay tuned. Rick mentioned he is hoping that the size of the group for this year's ride will double. I am hoping for the same.

Ride on!

Cycle Sport

What is Cycle Ball (aka Radball)?

Check this out if you are curious:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_ball

"worship" the bicycle on Sundays!

See you Sunday?
The Derailleurs ride again.
3pm, meet in Vic park.

the season begins!

It was The Derailleurs first ride of the season today.
There was close to 10 of us who rode today and we weren't as out of shape as I thought we might be! It was a great ride, though we were a bit rusty on the signaling and be cognizant of cars ("caaaaaar!").

See you next week?

Same time - 3pm
Same place - Victoria Park
Same day - Sunday

first ride of '08

Our first ride will be on Sunday, April 6th at 3 pm.

Meet at Victoria Park in front of the Cenotaph. We usually ride for less than an hour...we'll see how out of shape we all are!

See you then!

Photos from 2007

All about The Derailleurs

The Derailleurs (previously the "hells angles") are an ever-expanding group of cycling enthusiasts in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The Derailleurs have four main goals:

1. To have fun! - This includes but is not limited to ringing bells, singing Muppet songs, putting hockey cards in our spokes, wearing faux biker outfits and waving at our neighbours as we pass by.

2. To stay fit - The number of Canadians who are overweight or obese has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. Basically, there's also no denying that our level of physical activity has greatly decreased. Stay fit and have fun with cycling friends!

3. To reclaim our streets - A recent article in the Leader-Post reports that nearly three-quarters of Regina residents are afraid to set foot in some of the city's less-fortunate neighbourhoods.We refuse to recognize the racial and economic lines that divide our city. As a group we will ride through every part of Regina to show that we are not afraid of our neighbours. Also, as a group we create our own cycling atmosphere on our city streets, showing solidarity among cyclists and also conveying to motor vehicles that cyclists can stay fit, have fun, not contribute any CO2 and do so while following the rules of the road!

4. To promote sustainable living - According to the CBC, G8 leaders recently pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the year 2050. Waiting 40 years to solve an immediate environmental crisis is completely illogical and betrays our government's indifference to the problem.

Join the Derailleurs:

The Derailleurs don't care how old you are, where you live or how you look. If you have a bicycle and would like to join us then you're more than welcome.

Simple rules we like to follow:

1. signalling at intersections, stop signs etc. to alert driver's where we are going

2. stopping at intersections and stop signs

3. If there is a 2 lane road we take up 1 lane to ourselves, it is a 1 lane road we go single-file to allow vehicles to pass us by unobstructed.

4. Ring your bells!

5. Stopping for ice cream

e-mail us at thederailleurs@gmail.com

Spring is here!

Welcome to blog for the Regina cycling group "The Derailleurs".

This is an alternative site for cyclists who may be anti-facebook or just don't have a facebook account.

Please check back here for information related to events, when the weekly rides will begin or any other cycling related information.